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Bayern Munich vs Chelsea prediction, best bets, odds & predicted line-ups: No happy UCL return for Blues
Read the latest Champions League tips as Enzo Maresca’s side open their European campaign at the Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea best bets
Chelsea couldn’t have wished for a harder start to their 2025/26 Champions League campaign as they prepare to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday (8pm, TNT Sports 2).
The Blues have famously turned over Bayern on home soil before, beating them on penalties in the 2012 Champions League final to claim their first European Cup.
However, betting sites don’t think the world champions have a great chance of victory in Munich this time around. Bettors will find Champions League odds of around 4/1 available on an away win, while Bayern are odds-on to continue their strong start to the season.
The Blues travel to Germany after conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Brentford that denied them a third win in four Premier League matches to start the season, but the match at the Allianz Arena will provide an altogether different test for the Conference League winners.
Maresca’s men have been paired against two more top sides in the form of Barcelona and Napoli during the league phases, with matches against the likes of Benfica and Ajax likely to have a bearing on whether the Blues can automatically qualify for the knockout stages.
And while an away loss to Bayern is unlikely to define their league phase campaign, a win in Bavaria could well do so, with three points giving Chelsea a brilliant platform to start from.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea preview: Painful Allianz return for Blues
While Chelsea have navigated a mixed start to the 25/26 season – with two wins and two draws in their opening four matches – Bayern remain unbeaten, with three wins from three in the Bundesliga in addition to progressing in the cup.
And the Bavarian side have hit the ground running too, winning their opening match 6-0 against rivals RB Leipzig and scoring 19 goals across their opening five matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, the Blues have managed to find the net nine times across their first four games, though five came against a struggling West Ham side.
Bayern have conceded goals in three of their five matches so far this season – including two in the league against Augsburg and two in the cup versus lower league opposition in Wehen Wiesbaden - so this is a team that can be tested by better attacking units.
Chelsea are just such a unit and have more than enough ability to create a few chances at the Allianz, especially if Cole Palmer is fit to start.
While Chelsea have let in just three goals, Bayern’s 6-0 and 5-0 wins over RB Leipzig and Hamburg illustrate their own ability to create and finish chances, so it is safe to suggest that both teams will find the net.
Nevertheless, given home advantage and their free-scoring form so far, it’s tough to look beyond Bayern getting the win
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea prediction 1: Bayern to win & both teams to score - 19/10 Ladbrokes
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea betting tips: Count on Kane to strike
Harry Kane is one of a few Bayern players who are familiar with big games against Chelsea, having played in 22 London derbies against the Blues during his time at Tottenham.
Despite his impressive record against most Premier League sides, Kane has a fairly modest total of just eight goals in 22 appearances against the Blues – and just seven wins in that time – though he scored a goal in each of his final two league matches against them in the 2022/23 season.
Kane has not lost any of his threat on the European stage since joining Bayern, having finished fourth in the competition’s top scorers list last season with 11 goals across 13 matches.
With the England captain having scored nine goals in his opening seven games for club and country so far this season, he is certainly in ominous form, and we’re backing him to continue that this week against an old enemy.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea prediction 2: Harry Kane to score anytime - 10/11 Bet365
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea bet builder tips
Using our Bayern vs Chelsea best bets, punters can put together a bet builder comprising three legs:
- Bayern Munich to win
- Both teams to score - Yes
- Harry Kane to score anytime
The bet builder pays a best price of 15/4 with bet365, who run the Sub On Play On promotion, meaning if Kane were to be taken off in this game before he scores, the bet would continue with his replacement.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea team news
Bayern: Alphoinso Davies and Hiroki Ito have returned to individual training after long lay-offs, though this match will likely come too soon for both.
Defender Raphaal Guerreiro will miss out due to a stomach issue suffered in the win over Hamburg, while Nicolas Jackson could play against the Blues due to differing Uefa rules over loanees playing against parent clubs.
Chelsea: Levi Colwill, Liam Delap and Dario Essugo remain the long-term absentees for the Blues, while Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are unlikely to be fit for this contest.
Estevao could return to the squad after missing the match with Brentford through illness, while Enzo Maresca’s only new injury concern is Joao Pedro, with the Italian admitting Pedro is a doubt after coming off during the draw at the Gtech.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea predicted line ups
Bayern XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.
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